Air-filled patch antenna

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

This application relates to the field of antennas, in particular, to circularly polarized or dual polarized antennas in the form of air-filled patch antennas.

Description of the Related Art

Since circularly polarized (CP) and dual polarized antennas are able to receive EM wave with an arbitrarily oriented linear polarization, they have been widely used in many applications such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) readers, GPS (Global Positioning System) and satellite communication systems. Dual polarized antennas can independently receive and transmit electromagnetic waves polarized in two orthogonal directions. The two polarized electromagnetic waves can carry two independent signals. Therefore, they are widely used in wireless base stations.

Taking the advantages of low profile and light weight, the patch antenna is one of the most popularly used antennas. A CP patch antenna can be easily realized by printing a metal patch on a piece of grounded dielectric substrate. To reduce the dielectric loss, to improve radiation efficiency and to cut the manufacturing cost, air-filled CP and dual polarized patch antennas are frequently used by supporting the metal patch with dielectric posts. Such dielectric supporters inevitably incur extra losses, cost and inconvenience in installation for mass production. Another widely used CP antenna is the slot antennas with metal cavities, among which CP antennas can be created by various slot arrangements. Usually, the metal cavities usually expensive to make and is very bulky. CP dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) is also a kind of well-known CP antennas. With the high permittivity of the dielectric, the volume of the antenna can be greatly reduced. However, the price for low-loss dielectric is usually very expensive. For many practical applications, it is desirable to have a type of CP or dual polarized antennas that are of low profile, low cost, light weight, and convenient to make.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present application, a patch antenna comprises a ground plane; a patch arranged to be in parallel to the ground plane; four inherent metal legs extending from four legitimate locations of the patch perpendicularly, wherein each of distal ends of the four legs is electrically and mechanically connected to the ground plane; and a feeding structure configured to provide a signal interface to the antenna.

According to embodiments, the patch may be in rectangular shape. For a CP antenna, the feeding structure is arranged to feed the patch at a feeding position along a diagonal line of the patch. The feeding position may be close to one of the legs. The feeding structure may be a probe.

According to embodiments, a cross-shaped slot may be cut through the rectangular patch, wherein an intersection of the slot is located in the center of the patch, and two lines of the slot are in parallel to the two adjacent sides of the rectangular patch, respectively. For a CP antenna, the feeding structure is arranged to feed the patch at a feeding position along a diagonal line of the patch. The feeding position may be close to one of the legs. The feeding structure may be a probe.

According to embodiments, for a CP antenna, the feeding structure may comprise a power divider located on the grounded substrate, two transmission lines connected to and extending from the power divider, and two n-shaped probes each of which has an end connected to one of the two transmission lines and the other end is soldered to a non-grounded soldering pad on the grounded substrate. The two transmission lines may have a phase difference of 90 degrees.

According to embodiments, the patch may be in a shape of a rectangular ring. Two isosceles triangular corners may be inserted on a diagonal line of the patch respectively so that two miter corners of the patch are formed. For a CP antenna, the feeding structure may be arranged along the diagonal line at a position in or close to one of the two miter corners. The rectangular ring may be continuous.

According to embodiments, the rectangular ring may be formed by four L-shaped strips, each two of which are partially overlapped to form a side of the ring. An isosceles triangular corner may be inserted on a diagonal line of the patch so that a miter corner is formed in one of the L-shaped strips. The feeding structure for a CP antenna may be arranged along the diagonal line at a position in or close to the miter corner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates a CP antenna according to an embodiment of the present application.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2(<i>a</i>) and 2(<i>b</i>)</figref> show feeding arrangements for right-hand circularly polarization (RHCP) and left-hand circularly polarization (LHCP) configurations of the antenna of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> illustrates a CP antenna according to an embodiment of the present application.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4(<i>a</i>) and 4(<i>b</i>)</figref> show feeding arrangements for right-hand (RHCP) and left-hand (LHCP) configurations of the antenna of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5(<i>a</i>), 5(<i>b</i>) and 5(<i>c</i>)</figref> illustrate a CP antenna according to an embodiment of the present application.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> illustrates a CP antenna according to an embodiment of the present application.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7(<i>a</i>) and 7(<i>b</i>)</figref> show feeding arrangements for right-hand (RHCP) and left-hand (LHCP) configurations of the antenna of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> illustrates a CP antenna according to an embodiment of the present application.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9(<i>a</i>) and 9(<i>b</i>)</figref> show feeding arrangements for right-hand (RHCP) and left-hand (LHCP) configurations of the antenna of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> illustrates the simulated and measured reflection coefficient of a CP antenna according to the first embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> illustrates the simulated and measured peak gain and axial ratio versus frequency of the CP antenna according to the first embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> illustrates axial ratio versus elevation angles of the CP antenna measured at 2.45 GHz according to the first embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 13(<i>a</i>), 13(<i>b</i>) and 13(<i>c</i>)</figref> illustrate radiation patterns of the RHCP CP antenna at 2.45 GHz according to the first embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> illustrates the simulated and measured reflection coefficients of a cross-slot CP antenna according to the second embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> illustrates the simulated and measured peak gain and axial ratio versus frequency of the cross-slot CP antenna according to the second embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> illustrates the axial ratio versus elevation angles measured at 2.45 GHz according to the second embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 17(<i>a</i>), 17(<i>b</i>) and 17(<i>c</i>)</figref> illustrate radiation patterns of the cross-slot LHCPCP antenna at 2.45 GHz according to the second embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref> illustrates the simulated and measured reflection coefficients of a wideband CP antenna according to the third embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref> illustrates the simulated and measured peak gain and axial ratio versus frequency of the wideband CP antenna according to the third embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20(<i>a</i>)</figref> illustrates the simulated radiation patterns of the wideband CP antenna according to the third embodiment at different frequencies; and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20(<i>b</i>)</figref> illustrates the measured radiation patterns of the wideband CP antenna according to the third embodiment at different frequencies.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21(<i>a</i>)</figref> illustrates the simulated axial ratio of the wideband CP antenna according to the third embodiment at different frequencies; <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21(<i>b</i>)</figref> illustrates the measured axial ratio of the wideband CP antenna according to the third embodiment at different frequencies

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 22</figref> illustrates the simulated and measured reflection coefficients of a ‘boxing-ring’ CP antenna according to the fourth embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 23</figref> illustrates the simulated gain and axial ratio comparing with the measured results of the ‘boxing-ring’ CP antenna according to the fourth embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 24</figref> illustrates the axial ratio versus elevation angles measured at 2.45 GHz according to the fourth embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 25 (<i>a</i>), 25(<i>b</i>) and 25(<i>c</i>)</figref> illustrate radiation patterns of the RHCP ‘boxing-ring’ CP antenna at 2.45 GHz according to the fourth embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 26(<i>a</i>) and 26(<i>b</i>)</figref> illustrate the simulated and measured reflection coefficients of Ant_<b>1</b> and Ant_<b>2</b>, respectively, according to the fifth embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 27(<i>a</i>) and 27(<i>b</i>)</figref> illustrate the simulated gain and axial ratio comparing with the measured results of Ant_<b>1</b> and Ant_<b>2</b>, respectively, according to the fifth embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 28(<i>a</i>) and 28(<i>b</i>)</figref> illustrate the axial ratio versus elevation angles of Ant_<b>1</b> and Ant_<b>2</b> measured at 2.45 GHz, respectively, according to the fifth embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 29(<i>a</i>) and 29(<i>b</i>)</figref> illustrate the radiation patterns of the capacitive loaded ‘boxing-ring’ CP antenna of Ant_<b>1</b> and Ant_<b>2</b> at 2.45 GHz, respectively, according to the fifth embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 30(<i>a</i>)</figref> illustrates the simulated RHCP and LHCP radiation patterns of Ant_<b>1</b> at 2.45 GHz, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 30(<i>b</i>)</figref> illustrates the measured RHCP and LHCP radiation patterns of Ant_<b>1</b> at 2.45 GHz according to the fifth embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 31(<i>a</i>)</figref> illustrates the simulated RHCP and LHCP radiation patterns of Ant_<b>2</b> at 2.45 GHz, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 31(<i>b</i>)</figref> illustrates the measured RHCP and LHCP radiation patterns of Ant_<b>2</b> at 2.45 GHz according to the fifth embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 32(<i>a</i>)</figref> illustrates a dual polarized antenna according to an embodiment of the present application.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 32(<i>b</i>)</figref> shows feeding arrangements for the antenna of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 32(<i>a</i>)</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 33(<i>a</i>)</figref> illustrates a dual polarized antenna according to an embodiment of the present application.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 33(<i>b</i>)</figref> shows feeding arrangements for the antenna of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 33(<i>a</i>)</figref>.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to the present application, a patch antenna comprising a metal patch with four inherent metal legs is proposed. In particular, the antenna comprises a ground plane; a metal patch of certain shape arranged to be in parallel to the ground plane; four legs extending from the patch perpendicularly, wherein each of distal ends of the four legs is fixed to the ground plane; and a feeding structure.

The application is proposed based on the following principle. For a given enclosure condition, the electromagnetic fields resonate at discrete frequencies. At each of such frequencies, the corresponding intrinsic distribution of the electromagnetic fields is called a mode. A patch antenna provides a kind of enclosure condition, and different patch configuration creates different possible modes. For a given patch configuration, the voltage distribution that is proportional to the strength distribution of the perpendicularly polarized electric field underneath the patch is unique. The patch antenna configuration proposed in this disclosure supports a kind of two orthogonal degenerate modes operating at the same or much closed frequencies, whose voltage distribution presents four voltage nulls on the edge of the patch. According to the present application, the four shorting legs are placed at the locations of voltage nulls. The two orthogonal degenerate modes can be used to create a circularly polarized patch antenna or a dual linear polarized antenna.

Some embodiments are provided below.

Embodiment 1

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates a CP antenna according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown, the CP antenna comprises aground plane <b>101</b>; a patch <b>102</b> of a certain shape arranged to be in parallel to the ground plane <b>101</b>; four legs <b>103</b> extending from the patch perpendicularly, wherein each of distal ends of the four legs <b>103</b> is fixed to the ground plane <b>101</b>; and a feeding structure. The feeding structure is arranged to feed the patch at a position <b>104</b> along a diagonal line of the patch <b>102</b> and close to one of the legs <b>103</b>. The feeding structure may be a probe <b>105</b>.

As shown, a table-like air patch (TAP) CP antenna with four inherent metal legs is invented. The four legs are arranged at positions at which the voltage is equal to zero. The length and width of the rectangular patch are Lp and Wp, respectively. Four metal legs construct four shorting pins at the four corners of the patch with the height of Hp and thin width of Ws. The four legs provide a reliable mechanical support to the rectangular ‘table’ in the air. A finite ground plane with size of L by L is assumed, but the actual size is not critical in a practical design. The TAP CP antenna can be fed by a probe located along the diagonal line of the patch and Lf distance away from one of the legs. For a wide band TAP CP antenna, the height Hp of the patch is relative larger. A wideband TAP CP antenna will be discussed later.

To investigate the resonant modes in the TAP CP antenna, the electric field distributions underneath the patch are calculated using a 3D EM simulator. From the obtained total electric field at 0° and 90° phase states, respectively, it can be observed that there are two orthogonal TM₁₁₀resonant modes in the semi-open patch resonator. The phases of the two modes are offset by 90°, which provides the required phase condition for a CP antenna.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2(<i>a</i>) and 2(<i>b</i>)</figref> show the feeding arrangements for the right-hand (RHCP) and left-hand (LHCP) TAP CP antennas fed by a probe, respectively. It can be seen that a LHCP TAP CP antenna is a mirror counterpart of a RHCP TAP CP antenna. The value of Lp should be larger than that of Wp in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2(<i>a</i>) and 2(<i>b</i>)</figref>. The feeding positions in the RHCP and LHCP TAP CP antennas are indicated by arrows in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2(<i>a</i>) and 2(<i>b</i>)</figref>, respectively.

The dimensions of the antenna may be designed based on simulations with EM software. According to one or more desired parameters, such as the reflection coefficient, peak gain and axial ratio, dimensions of the antenna may be adjusted. Among the dimensions of the antenna, lateral dimensions for the antenna are selected so that the antenna works at a right frequency, at which the antenna's gain and axial ratio reach to optimal. In addition, the feeding position is selected so that a low reflection coefficient is achieved for a good impedance matching.

For example, a TAP CP antenna with the physical dimensions listed in Table I shows good performance.

<tables id="TABLE-US-00001" num="00001"><table frame="none" colsep="0" rowsep="0"><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="7"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="28pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="35pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="5" colwidth="42pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="6" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="7" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><thead><row><entry namest="1" nameend="7" rowsep="1">TABLE I</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="7" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row><row>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>L</entry><entry>Lp</entry><entry>Wp</entry><entry>Ws</entry><entry>Lf</entry><entry>Hp</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="7" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row>&lt;entry /&gt;</row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="7"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="28pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="35pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="5" colwidth="42pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="6" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="7" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>mm</entry><entry>200</entry><entry>73.5</entry><entry>67</entry><entry>1</entry><entry>4.5</entry><entry>4</entry></row><row><entry>λ_o</entry><entry>1.633</entry><entry>0.6</entry><entry>0.547</entry><entry>0.008</entry><entry>0.037</entry><entry>0.033</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="7" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> illustrates the simulated and measured reflection coefficients of a TAP CP antenna according to the embodiment with the above parameters. As can be seen, the bandwidth of the antenna spans from 2.38 GHz to 2.55 GHz with reflection coefficient less than −10 dB. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> illustrates the simulated and measured peak gain and axial ratio versus frequency of the TAP CP antenna. The simulated peak gain over the operational bandwidth is about 11.3 dBi, while the measured gain is about 11.1 dBi. The axial ratio bandwidth below 3 dB is found from 2.43 GHz to 2.47 GHz, which falls in the matched impedance frequency range. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> illustrates axial ratio versus elevation angles of the TAP CP antenna measured at 2.45 GHz. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 13(<i>a</i>), 13(<i>b</i>) and 13(<i>c</i>)</figref> illustrate radiation patterns of the RHCP TAP CP antenna at 2.45 GHz, wherein <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13(<i>a</i>)</figref> shows the total gain, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13 (<i>b</i>)</figref> shows the simulated results for RHCP and LHCP patterns, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13(<i>c</i>)</figref> shows the measured results for RHCP and LHCP patterns. As shown, the simulated and measured results demonstrate that the proposed TAP CP antenna has a good radiation performance for circular polarization applications.

Embodiment II

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> illustrates a CP antenna according to an embodiment of the present application. As compared with the CP antenna of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the ground <b>201</b>, the patch <b>202</b> and the legs <b>203</b> in Embodiment II are similar with the ground <b>101</b>, the patch <b>102</b> and the legs <b>103</b> in Embodiment I, except that the CP antenna according to the Embodiment II further comprises a cross-shaped slot <b>204</b> at the center of the patch <b>202</b>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the two slots are in parallel to the two adjacent sides of the patch, respectively. As shown, a feeding probe <b>205</b> connected with a cable <b>206</b> is located along the diagonal line of the patch and Lf distance away from one of the legs.

The cross-slot TAP CP antenna proposed in Embodiment II is a size-reduced version of the TAP CP antenna as compared to that proposed in Embodiment I. The size and radiation performance of the cross-slot TAP CP antenna are comparable to the traditional CP air patch antenna. Similar to a TAP CP antenna, a cross-slot TAP CP antenna consists of a slot-cut rectangular patch with four metallic legs at the corners of the patch mounted on a conductive ground plane, where the length and width of the rectangular patch are Lp and Wp, respectively. A cross-shaped slot is cut on the top patch, of which the horizontal and vertical lengths are Lsh and Lsv, respectively. The width of the cross-shaped slot is Ws, which is not very critical to the radiation performance of the antenna. Four metallic legs with the height of H and thin width of W<b>1</b> provide stable mechanical support to the patch. The cross-slot TAP CP antenna can be fed by a probe located along the diagonal line of the patch and Lf distance away from one of the legs.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4(<i>a</i>) and 4(<i>b</i>)</figref> show the feeding point arrangements for a LHCP antenna and a RHCP antenna, respectively, where the value of Lp should be larger than that of Wp. Actually, the difference between the LHCP and RHCP antennas is that the feeding probe is located on the corresponding location along the different diagonals of the patch. The feeding positions in the RHCP and LHCP cross-slot TAP CP antennas are indicated by arrows in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4(<i>a</i>) and 4(<i>b</i>)</figref>, respectively.

For example, across-slot TAP CP antenna with the physical dimensions listed in Table II shows good performance.

<tables id="TABLE-US-00002" num="00002"><table frame="none" colsep="0" rowsep="0" pgwide="1"><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="10"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="21pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="5" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="6" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="7" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="8" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="9" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="10" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><thead><row><entry namest="1" nameend="10" rowsep="1">TABLE II</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="10" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row><row>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>L</entry><entry>Lp</entry><entry>Wp</entry><entry>Lsv</entry><entry>Lsh</entry><entry>Ws</entry><entry>Lf</entry><entry>H</entry><entry>Wl</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="10" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row>&lt;entry /&gt;</row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="10"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="21pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="5" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="6" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="7" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="8" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="9" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="10" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>mm</entry><entry>350</entry><entry>59.5</entry><entry>57</entry><entry>41.2</entry><entry>42</entry><entry>1</entry><entry>1.95</entry><entry>4</entry><entry>1</entry></row><row><entry>λ_o</entry><entry>2.859</entry><entry>0.486</entry><entry>0.482</entry><entry>0.348</entry><entry>0.355</entry><entry>0.008</entry><entry>0.016</entry><entry>0.034</entry><entry>0.008</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="10" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

It is understood that the dimensions of the antenna may be designed based on simulations with EM software. Dimensions of the antenna may be adjusted so that one or more desired parameters, such as reflection coefficient, peak gain and axial ratio, are obtained.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> illustrates the simulated and measured coefficient coefficients of a cross-slot TAP CP antenna according to the embodiment with the above parameters. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> illustrates the simulated and measured peak gain and axial ratio versus frequency of the cross-slot CP-TAP antenna. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> illustrates the axial ratio versus elevation angles measured at 2.45 GHz. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 17(<i>a</i>), 17(<i>b</i>) and 17(<i>c</i>)</figref> illustrate radiation patterns of the cross-slot TAP LHCP antenna at 2.45 GHz, wherein <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17(<i>a</i>)</figref> shows the total gain, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17(<i>b</i>)</figref> shows the simulated results for RHCP and LHCP patterns, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17(<i>c</i>)</figref> shows the measured results for RHCP and LHCP patterns.

Embodiment III

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5(<i>a</i>)-5(<i>c</i>)</figref> illustrate a wideband CP antenna according to an embodiment of the present application. The ground <b>301</b>, the patch <b>302</b> and the legs <b>303</b> in Embodiment III are similar with the ground <b>101</b>, the patch <b>102</b> and the legs <b>103</b> in Embodiment I. As compared to the CP antenna proposed in Embodiment I, a different feeding structure is used in the antenna proposed in Embodiment III, which includes two probes <b>304</b> and <b>305</b>. In particular, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5(<i>a</i>)</figref> shows the configuration of the wideband TAP CP antenna; <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5(<i>b</i>)</figref> shows the feeding structure of the antenna; <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5(<i>c</i>)</figref> shows the n-shaped probe.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5(<i>b</i>)</figref>, the feeding structure comprises a power divider (e.g., Wilkinson power divider) located on the grounded substrate, two transmission lines connected to and extending from the power divider, and two n-shaped probes <b>304</b> and <b>305</b> each of which has an end connected to one of the two transmission lines and has its other end vertically connected to a soldering pad on the substrate. The height of each of the two n-shaped probes is less than a distance between the patch and the ground. The two transmission lines have a phase difference of 90 degrees.

As shown, the ground substrate is with the dimension of L. Actually, the performance of the antenna is not very sensitive to the dimension of the ground. The upper structure is a typical TAP antenna, whose length and width are Lp and Wp, respectively. The patch is mechanically supported by four metallic legs with the length of Hp and the width of Ws. Comparing with the TAP CP antenna, the operating frequency bandwidth of such TAPCP antenna is much wider. The type of the circular polarization (RHCP or LHCP) is determined by the phase difference of the two pieces of the transmission lines. If the electric length of TL<b>1</b> is longer than TL<b>2</b> by 90 degrees, the polarization should be RHCP. The n-shaped probe is an approximate open-circuit quarter-wavelength resonator. The total length (2hpd+lpd) of the probe approximately equals to the quarter wavelength of the center frequency of the operating band. The open end of the n-shaped probe is mounted on a soldering pad, which provides stable mechanical support to the feeding probe. The feeding probe is folded in an “n” shape and mounted on the substrate. Thus, it eliminates the soldering of a probe to the patch, minimizes the frequency dispersion caused by the inductance of the probe that limits the antenna bandwidth, and increases the mechanical strength of the probe itself.

The dimensions of the antenna may be designed based on simulations with EM software. Specific dimensions of the antenna may be adjusted so that one or more desired parameters, such as the reflection coefficient, peak gain and axial ratio, are obtained.

For example, a wideband TAP CP antenna with the physical dimensions listed in Table III shows good performance.

<tables id="TABLE-US-00003" num="00003"><table frame="none" colsep="0" rowsep="0" pgwide="1"><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="9"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="21pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="5" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="6" colwidth="35pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="7" colwidth="35pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="8" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="9" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><thead><row><entry namest="1" nameend="9" rowsep="1">TABLE III</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="9" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row><row>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>L</entry><entry>L_p</entry><entry>W_p</entry><entry>H_p</entry><entry>W_s</entry><entry>l_pb</entry><entry>h_pb</entry><entry>w_pb</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="9" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row>&lt;entry /&gt;</row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="9"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="21pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="5" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="6" colwidth="35pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="7" colwidth="35pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="8" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="9" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>mm</entry><entry>200</entry><entry>63</entry><entry>62</entry><entry>15</entry><entry>1</entry><entry>6.5</entry><entry>12</entry><entry>2</entry></row><row><entry>λ_o</entry><entry>1.633</entry><entry>0.52</entry><entry>0.51</entry><entry>0.124</entry><entry>0.008</entry><entry>0.053</entry><entry>0.098</entry><entry>0.017</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="9" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref> illustrates the simulated and measured reflection coefficients of a wide band TAP CP antenna according to the embodiment with the above parameters. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref> illustrates the simulated and measured peak gain and axial ratio versus frequency of the wideband TAP CP antenna. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20(<i>a</i>)</figref> illustrates the simulated radiation patterns of the wideband TAP CP antenna at different frequencies; and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20(<i>b</i>)</figref> illustrates the measured radiation patterns of the wideband TAP CP antenna at different frequencies. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21(<i>a</i>)</figref> illustrates the simulated axial ratio of the wideband TAP CP antenna at different frequencies; <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21(<i>b</i>)</figref> illustrates the measured axial ratio of the wideband TAP CP antenna at different frequencies.

Embodiment IV

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> illustrates a CP antenna according to an embodiment of the present application. As compared with the CP antenna of Embodiment I, the ground <b>401</b> and the legs <b>403</b> in Embodiment IV are similar with the ground <b>101</b> and the legs <b>103</b> in Embodiment I, but the CP antenna according to the Embodiment IV as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> has a patch <b>402</b> with a shape of a rectangular ring or “boxing-ring”. In the antenna proposed according to this embodiment, two isosceles triangular corners are inserted on a diagonal line of the patch respectively so that two miter corners of the patch are formed. The feeding structure such as a probe <b>405</b> connected with a cable <b>406</b> is arranged to feed the patch along the diagonal line at a position <b>404</b> in or close to one of the two miter corners. The “boxing-ring” CP antenna has advantages of light weight and small footprint.

The “boxing-ring” antenna is made of metal. Comparing with the TAP CP antenna proposed in Embodiment I, the top rectangular patch of Embodiment I is replaced by a metallic rectangular ring, of which the length and width are Lp and Wp, respectively, and the width of the ring is W. Four metallic legs on the corners are inherent parts of the antenna and can be used to support the ring in the air. The length and width of the short pins are H and Ws, respectively. The feeding position of the antenna is distributed along the diagonal line of the rectangular ring and Lf distance away from one of the metallic legs. Two isosceles triangular metal corners can be inserted to the miter corners on the diagonal line for impedance matching and axial ratio tuning.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7(<i>a</i>) and 7(<i>b</i>)</figref> show the feeding arrangement of a LHCP antenna and a RHCP antenna of the “boxing-ring” antenna, respectively. The difference between the LHCP and RHCP antenna is that the feeding probes are located on the corresponding location along the different diagonals of the ‘boxing-ring’, where Lp should be larger than Wp. The feeding positions in the LHCP and RHCP ‘boxing-ring’ CP antennas are indicated by arrows in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7(<i>a</i>) and 7(<i>b</i>)</figref>, respectively.

The dimensions of the antenna can be designed based on simulations with EM software. Specific dimensions of the antenna may be adjusted so that one or more desired parameters, such as the reflection coefficient, peak gain and axial ratio, are obtained.

For example, a boxing-ring CP antenna with the physical dimensions listed in Table IV shows good performance.

<tables id="TABLE-US-00004" num="00004"><table frame="none" colsep="0" rowsep="0" pgwide="1"><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="9"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="21pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="35pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="5" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="6" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="7" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="8" colwidth="35pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="9" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><thead><row><entry namest="1" nameend="9" rowsep="1">TABLE IV</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="9" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row><row>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>L</entry><entry>L_p</entry><entry>W_p</entry><entry>H</entry><entry>W_s</entry><entry>Lf</entry><entry>W</entry><entry>l</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="9" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row>&lt;entry /&gt;</row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="9"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="21pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="35pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="5" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="6" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="7" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="8" colwidth="35pt" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="9" colwidth="28pt" align="char" char="." /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>mm</entry><entry>200</entry><entry>55</entry><entry>52</entry><entry>9</entry><entry>1</entry><entry>3.53</entry><entry>3</entry><entry>4</entry></row><row><entry>λ_o</entry><entry>1.633</entry><entry>0.449</entry><entry>0.424</entry><entry>0.073</entry><entry>0.008</entry><entry>0.029</entry><entry>0.024</entry><entry>0.033</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="9" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 22</figref> illustrates the simulated and measured reflection coefficients of a ‘boxing-ring’ CP antenna according to the embodiment with the above parameters. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 23</figref> illustrates the simulated gain and axial ratio comparing with the measured results of the ‘boxing-ring’ CP antenna. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 24</figref> illustrates the axial ratio versus elevation angles measured at 2.45 GHz. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 25(<i>a</i>), 25(<i>b</i>) and 25(<i>c</i>)</figref> illustrate radiation patterns of the RHCP ‘boxing-ring’ CP antenna at 2.45 GHz, wherein <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 25(<i>a</i>)</figref> shows the total gain, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 25(<i>b</i>)</figref> shows the simulated results for RHCP and LHCP patterns, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 25(<i>c</i>)</figref> shows the measured results for RHCP and LHCP patterns.

Embodiment V

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> illustrates a CP antenna according to an embodiment of the present application. As compared with the CP antenna of Embodiment IV which has a continuous rectangular ring, the antenna proposed in Embodiment V has a rectangular ring formed by four L-shaped strips <b>502</b>, each two of which are partially overlapped two by two to form a side of the ring. An isosceles triangular corner is inserted on a diagonal line of the patch so that a miter corner is formed in one of the L-shaped strips. The feeding structure is arranged along the diagonal line at a position in or close to the miter corner. The ground <b>501</b>, legs <b>503</b>, feeding position <b>504</b>, feeding structure <b>505</b> and cable <b>506</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> are similar with the ground <b>401</b>, legs <b>403</b>, feeding position <b>404</b>, feeding structure <b>405</b> and cable <b>406</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>.

The proposed antenna consists of a rectangular ‘boxing-ring’ shape loop and four metallic legs in the corners of the rectangular loop. Each edge is composed of two capacitively coupled strips with lengths of L<b>1</b> and L<b>2</b>. The width of the strip is W. The overlaps of the two strips with are Lo<b>1</b> and Lo<b>2</b>, respectively. The gap size of the overlapped strips is s. The operation frequency of the proposed antenna is dominated by the dimensions of L<b>1</b>, L<b>2</b>, Lo<b>1</b> and Lo<b>2</b>. Four shorting legs with the height of H and thin width of Ws provide reliable mechanism to support the segmented loop. The feeding point is located along the diagonal of the rectangular loop with the distance of Lf away from a leg. With a capacitively coupled loop structure, the radiation gain of the proposed antenna may be modified by changing the dimensions of the loop, while the operation frequency does not change.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9(<i>a</i>) and 9(<i>b</i>)</figref> show the LHCP and RHCP capacitively coupled ‘boxing-ring’ CP antennas. The difference between the LHCP and RHCP antennas is that the corresponding feeding point is located on the different diagonals of the rectangular loop. The feeding positions in the RHCP and LHCP ‘boxing-ring’ CP antennas are indicated by arrows in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9(<i>a</i>) and 9(<i>b</i>)</figref>, respectively

The dimensions of the antenna can be designed based on simulations with EM software. Specific dimensions of the antenna may be adjusted so that one or more desired parameters, such as the reflection coefficient, peak gain and axial ratio, are obtained.

For example, two boxing-ring TAP CP antennas, namely Ant_<b>1</b> and Ant_<b>2</b>, according to Embodiment V with the physical dimensions listed in Table V shows good performance.

<tables id="TABLE-US-00005" num="00005"><table frame="none" colsep="0" rowsep="0" pgwide="1"><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="10"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="21pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="5" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="6" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="7" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="8" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="9" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="10" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><thead><row><entry namest="1" nameend="10" rowsep="1">TABLE V</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="10" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row><row>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>L</entry><entry>L₁</entry><entry>L₂</entry><entry>Lf</entry><entry>L_o1</entry><entry>L_o2</entry><entry>H</entry><entry>W_s</entry><entry>s</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="10" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row>&lt;entry /&gt;</row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="10"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="21pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="5" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="6" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="7" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="8" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="9" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><colspec colname="10" colwidth="28pt" align="center" /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>Ant_1</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;</row><row><entry>mm</entry><entry>200</entry><entry>34</entry><entry>33</entry><entry>4.26</entry><entry>16</entry><entry>16</entry><entry>9</entry><entry>1</entry><entry>1</entry></row><row><entry>λ_o</entry><entry>1.633</entry><entry>0.278</entry><entry>0.269</entry><entry>0.035</entry><entry>0.13</entry><entry>0.13</entry><entry>0.073</entry><entry>0.008</entry><entry>0.008</entry></row><row><entry>Ant_2</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;</row><row><entry>mm</entry><entry>200</entry><entry>30</entry><entry>30</entry><entry>4.97</entry><entry>3</entry><entry>3</entry><entry>9</entry><entry>1</entry><entry>1</entry></row><row><entry>λ_o</entry><entry>1.633</entry><entry>0.245</entry><entry>0.245</entry><entry>0.04</entry><entry>0.024</entry><entry>0.024</entry><entry>0.073</entry><entry>0.008</entry><entry>0.008</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="10" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 26(<i>a</i>) and 26(<i>b</i>)</figref> illustrate simulated and measured reflection coefficients of Ant_<b>1</b> and Ant_<b>2</b>, respectively. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 27(<i>a</i>) and 27(<i>b</i>)</figref> illustrate the simulated gain and axial ratio comparing with the measured results of Ant_<b>1</b> and Ant_<b>2</b>, respectively. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 28(<i>a</i>) and 28(<i>b</i>)</figref> illustrate the axial ratio versus elevation angles of Ant_<b>1</b> and Ant_<b>2</b> measured at 2.45 GHz, respectively. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 29(<i>a</i>) and 29(<i>b</i>)</figref> illustrate the radiation patterns of the capacitive coupled ‘boxing-ring’ CP antenna of Ant_<b>1</b> and Ant_<b>2</b> at 2.45 GHz, respectively. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 30(<i>a</i>)</figref> illustrates the simulated RHCP and LHCP radiation patterns of Ant_<b>1</b> at 2.45 GHz, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 30(<i>b</i>)</figref> illustrates the measured RHCP and LHCP radiation patterns of Ant_<b>1</b> at 2.45 GHz. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 31(<i>a</i>)</figref> illustrates the simulated RHCP and LHCP radiation patterns of Ant_<b>2</b> at 2.45 GHz, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 31<i>b </i></figref>illustrates the measured RHCP and LHCP radiation patterns of Ant_<b>2</b> at 2.45 GHz.

Embodiment VI

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 32(<i>a</i>)</figref> illustrate a wideband dual polarized antenna according to an embodiment of the present application. As compared to the CP antenna proposed in Embodiment III, a different feeding network is used in the antenna proposed in Embodiment VI, which includes two sets of feeding structure. As shown, probes <b>604</b> and <b>606</b> construct a first feeding structure, while probes <b>605</b> and <b>607</b> construct a second feeding structure. In particular, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 32(<i>a</i>)</figref> shows the configuration of the wideband TAP dual polarized antenna; <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 32(<i>b</i>)</figref> shows the feeding structure of the antenna. The ground <b>601</b>, patch <b>602</b> and legs <b>603</b> in this embodiment are similar with the ground <b>301</b>, patch <b>302</b> and legs <b>303</b> shown in Embodiment III.

As shown, the feeding structure comprises two baluns located on the grounded substrate for equally dividing an input signal into two equal magnitude but 180 degree phase difference signals, four transmission lines each of which has an end connected to a n n-shaped probe and the other end connected to one of the two ports of a balun, and four n-shaped probes each of which has an end connected to one of the four transmission lines and has its other end vertically connected to a soldering pad on the substrate.

Embodiment VII

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 33(<i>a</i>) and 33(<i>b</i>)</figref> illustrate a ‘boxing-ring’ dual polarized antenna according to an embodiment of the present application. As compared to the CP antenna proposed in Embodiment IV, a different feeding network is used in the antenna proposed in Embodiment VII, which includes two sets of feeding structure. As shown, probes <b>704</b> and <b>706</b> construct a first feeding structure, while probes <b>705</b> and <b>707</b> construct a second feeding structure. In particular, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 33(<i>a</i>)</figref> shows the configuration of the ‘boxing-ring’ dual polarized antenna; <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 33(<i>b</i>)</figref> shows the feeding structure of the antenna. The ground <b>701</b>, patch <b>702</b> and legs <b>703</b> in this embodiment are similar with the ground <b>401</b>, patch <b>402</b> and legs <b>403</b> shown in Embodiment IV.

As shown, the feeding structure comprises two baluns located on the grounded substrate for equally dividing an input signal into two equal magnitude but 180 degree phase difference signals, four transmission lines each of which has an end connected to an n-shaped probe and the other end connected to one of the two ports of a balun, and four n-shaped probes each of which has an end connected to one of the four transmission lines and has its other end vertically connected to a soldering pad on the substrate.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, many modifications and changes may be possible once those skilled in the art get to know some basic inventive concepts. The appended claims are intended to be construed comprising these preferred embodiments and all the changes and modifications fallen within the scope of the present invention.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations could be made to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if any modifications and variations lie within the spirit and principle of the present application, the present invention is intended to include these modifications and variations.